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Local man faces federal weapons charge

He was arrested on June 14 in Lebanon by Lebanon Police Officer Jeff Scott and was charged with possession of a weapon, criminal trespass and evading arrest. The case was taken to the Wilson County Violent Crimes and Narcotics Task Force, a joint operation between local police and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department, which in turn took the matter the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

The ATF sought an indictment from a federal grand jury on the weapons charge, and Johnson was arrested on that charge on Nov. 29 at the Upton Heights address. He remains in federal custody.

“Our understanding is he qualifies as a career criminal,” Bowen said, adding if Johnson is convicted in U.S. District Court, “he could be facing up to 15 years in federal prison.”

He cited the efforts of all the officers involved and said it was “another way to work with federal officials. He (Johnson) has shown a propensity to commit violent acts. We’re going to do everything in our power to put him in prison for as long as we can.”

Bowen noted that ATF agents have been asked by local officials to take a look at some other individuals that officers have dealt with to see if federal charges might be filed against them as well.